There are several methods that can be used to perform an abortion. These include:

• Surgical methods. Involves removing tissue from the uterus with a surgical instrument. Surgical methods used in abortion include:
  
  
• • Vacuum aspiration. The most common method of performing abortions in the United States, it involves withdrawing the contents of the uterus through a narrow, flexible tube that is inserted through the cervix and into the uterine cavity. Very early in the pregnancy, this procedure may be performed without dilation (expanding) of the cervix or use of general anesthesia. However, abortions performed when the gestational age is eight weeks or more generally require dilation of the cervix. Vacuum aspiration is usually used in pregnancies of 12 weeks or less.
    
    
  • Dilation and curettage (D&C). The most common method of abortion used beyond the first 8 weeks of a pregnancy, it usually involves suction and use of a curette (a surgical instrument commonly shaped like a spoon or scoop) to remove the fetus. Dilation and curettage has several advantages. These include greater convenience, lack of need for hospitalization and lower cost than other second-trimester procedures (such as induction of uterine contractions).
    
    
  • Dilatation and evacuation (D&E). This procedure is performed for later second trimester abortions. It may require the additional use of forceps to remove fetal tissue from the uterus. The progression of the pregnancy at this point creates several disadvantages associated with this technique. Dilation and evacuation requires great technical expertise to perform the procedure effectively. It also comes with the risk of possible long-term damage to the cervix.
     
• Medication-induced methods. These can be used in early first-trimester abortions and are sometimes used in second-trimester abortions, especially after 16 weeks, when dilation and evacuation carries a high surgical risk, or if the physician is not skilled in performing dilatation and evacuation. This method can be performed in several ways. For example, a woman may receive an injection of hypertonic saline into the amniotic cavity to force uterine contractions that result in an aborted pregnancy. In other cases, a woman may receive doses of prostaglandins (hormone-like substances) either orally or as vaginal suppositories to induce abortion.
  
  In recent years, the antiprogesterone medication mifepristone, also known as RU 486, has been used in these types of abortions. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of a single dose of mifepristone, followed by a dose of a prostaglandin analogue known as misoprostol two days later. This technique is used more often in Europe than in the United States. However, it does not always remove all retained products of conception, and additional suction and curettage may be required. Mifepristone and misoprostol are increasing in use to terminate a pregnancy that is less than 7 weeks old. Women may safely and effectively take dosages of mifepristone and misoprostol at the same time, rather than up to 48 hours apart, as is typically done, according to a new study. In addition, a second study found the drugs to be safe for late first-trimester abortions. Both studies appear in the April 2007 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
  
  
• Major surgery. In rare cases, hysterectomy or hysterotomy (surgical incision of the uterus, such as in a Caesarean section) may be used to perform an abortion. However, these methods are considered to have a higher risk of mortality than other procedures, and usually are not used unless other gynecological conditions (such as cancer of the cervix or uterine fibroids) exist.

Some people mistakenly believe that emergency contraceptive pills (e.g., morning-after pill) – which may be taken after sexual intercourse when other contraceptive methods failed or no contraception was used – are a form of induced abortion. However, emergency contraceptive pills do not terminate a pregnancy, but instead prevent it from occurring in the first place.